Festival Info
We’re busy as trying to figure out how to apply all the learnings that have come through the first year of organising something in the big boy leagues.
Our understanding of what’s next is constantly evolving with new inspiration input from many figures of the party scene.
For now, we’ll do our best to get across what we’re envisioning down below.
The Vibe is Like
A bunch of friends of friends (of friends?) ending up on the hill through mutual association and a shared excitement to get amongst the party. Aotearoa is just a wee nation, and Matakanarama is one of those places where it feels the smallest. I mean, in a fun and comforting way! No time to overthink the outfit - or maybe there is all the time to overthink it, but you’re too relaxed in the end to worry and feel happy chucking your first choice on and heading in. But maybe the fit for day two is planned by the whole crew. Like, the guys and girls are paired up to dress as male and female versions of the same animal, and the group’s jester (unspokenly assigned) is dressed as Noah from Noah’s Ark… idk, just an idea… (We saw this at Lost Village 2025. So good!)
The Space
A total absence of the chaos and the stress of a larger-scale, more populous festival. Once you’re through the camping gates into the main arena, you can basically see every part of the site from any given location. Just start walking from one end to the other, and you’ll find the people you thought for a second you’d lost. Lots more energy to be focused on the music and each other.
Play
Lots of play! Games! House Sports? Really?! Yep, yeah, there’s actually house sports at this festival. With a scoreboard that keeps count of every contribution in the Games Arena made by anyone wearing the same coloured randomly assigned wristband. MATA (Yellow), KANA (Green) & RAMA (Pink). We’ll fill you in on this more…
The Music
A heavier lean into live instrumentalists, vocalists & bands on the hill. The magic of live performance can often bring a spiritual flavour. Art capable of whipping up novel, unique energies. Highlights of your night will be found in this selection, both expected and totally unexpected. Some proper underground stalwarts will bring deeper cuts and longer sets to the Kawakawa Club. Inspiring performers witnessed by us locally and overseas will bring their talents to Rama. Channelling learnings and home runs from wise curators. And of course, a broad selection of deserving young adult fun-bringers. Our peers. Mutual friends on stage type beat.
Don’t Be a DICK
And to the contrary… Don’t Be a DICK. If that isn’t self-explanatory, then this festival probably isn’t right for you. If you bring yuck vibes, you’ll stick out like a sore thumb and find yourself off site pretty quick.